Fields Of St. Etienne

“Fields Of St Etienne” is a song written by Graham Lyle and Benny Gallagher, two songwriters signed to Apple Publishing. Mary Hopkin recorded the song in 1969, in a version produced by Paul McCartney. It was the second song written by Lyle and Gallagher that she recorded that year, following “Sparrow.”

“Fields of St. Etienne” was released as the B-side of the US single “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be).”

Before recording the version produced by Paul McCartney, Mary Hopkin had previously recorded “Fields of St. Etienne” in a version produced by Geoff Emerick. This earlier version remained unreleased until 2010.

That’s one of my all–time favorites. Beautiful song. Apparently, the first time it was released on an album, it was a different arrangement. It might’ve been the chap who did “Those Were The Days,” Richard something. Paul produced the other version, which was a bit over the top. And having been told that they were re–releasing it, I begged them to find the version I did with Benny and Graham. Which I think this is.

Mary Hopkin – Interview with Goldmine Magazine, 1992

‘Fields Of St. Etienne’ was intended as Mary’s third UK single, scheduled for September 1969. It was written, as was ‘Sparrow’, by Mary’s friends and Apple Publishing songwriters Gallagher & Lyle. Mary later re-recorded the track with Paul McCartney in a much simpler form. The recording included here is previously unissued. The arrangement is by Richard Hewson and the production by Geoff Emerick. Although Mary loved the song, she felt at the time that this version was not in keeping with her own musical vision and she asked Apple to cancel its release.

From the liner notes of “Post Card (2010 remaster)“

Lyrics

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